Geographic range= total spatial area in which a species is found
Range changes can be facilitated by individuals themselves moving
For example: individuals following food resources, altering migratory pathways, etc.
Can occur (1) naturally (competition) or (2) via move response or (3) changes in survival rate
Move: movement of individuals (dispersal, migration), populations or species (range changes).
What are the reasons for an organism to move?
Move: movement of individuals (dispersal, migration), populations or species (range changes).
Move: movement away from natal territory (typically before or during reproduction - can be gametes not individuals)
Dispersal is a key trait that influences move response. Can be short or long distance - All species (even sessile ones) can disperse, but species differ in their dispersal ability.
Dispersal links/limits individual movement with range shifts
Many species are limited in a move response by gamete dispersal
Plants are excellent disperses across many generations, however..
Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…
Organismal traits: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many intrinsic traits like dispersal ability, generation time, etc.
Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…
Landscape features: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many characteristics of the environment like habitat matrix (connectedness)
Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…
Dynamics of change: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many global change stressors like pace of change. Can they keep up?
Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…
Globalization: Our transport systems change prior constraints on organismal movement for some species, which can lead to biotic homogenization
Ultimately ability to “move” will be determined by an interaction between the species and the environment
100 years from now where could species survive and how could it get there?
Can it disperse far enough fast enough over a fragmented landscape?